KDF to hire more female trainees, assures official
The much-awaited Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment finally began yesterday across the country after it was officially launched at the Kenya Army headquarters, Nairobi.
Some 3,000 soldiers are set to be recruited in the exercise that ends on December 16. KDF said the exercise would be conducted between 8am and 5pm.
There will be a slight increase in the number of female recruits after it was increased from 10 per cent of the total to be recruited to 12 per cent this year.
The Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lt-Gen Robert Kibochi, who launched the recruitment, said KDF would increase the number of females recruited every year.
He said plans had been made to ensure that all those interested participate in the recruitment notwithstanding the harsh weather conditions being experienced in some parts of the country.
The exercise is headed by Brigadier John Warioba.
In West Pokot, for example, at least 200 soldiers from the Army and the Airforce are already on the ground.
“The chief recruitment officers will make assessment on how best to modify the plans to ensure as many people as possible attend. It is not cast on stone,” he said.
Locked out
To ensure that the exercise is free, fair and voluntary, KDF said they have roped in the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and Transparency International, among others.
KDF has asked members of the public to report any malpractice noticed and gave a hotline number, 0726419709.
Lt-Gen Kibochi warned that stern action would be taken against those involved in malpractices during the exercise.
In the last recruitment, 10 KDF officers were found to have been involved in the vices while 103 recruits had either falsified or forged their documents or certificates.
Ninety seven of the recruits were arraigned and fined. Out of the 10 soldiers, five were dismissed as others are still being pursued.
